Legal Services

The Legal Services Team is part of the Civic Governance and Law Department.

To meet the needs of the Council the Legal Team provides a range of legal services, delivered in a way that makes the legal side of the Council’s business straightforward and as easy as possible for its front line services, directors, managers and members.
 
We operate a 'no barriers' working culture, driven by our values that seek to provide a service that is easily accessible and enables our clients to benefit from its experience and knowledge.
 
We provide support to the Council’s Monitoring Officer, the Review Committee and Independent Person(s), Overview and Scrutiny, Licensing and Development Control Committees.
 
Our legal advice spans almost every area of public law including:
  • Property & Estates
  • Employment
  • Governance and ethical standards
  • Contracts/procurement
  • Licensing
  • Information law
  • Prosecutions
  • Enforcement
  • Development control
  • Housing
  • Major Projects
The Legal Team is also a member of the Public Law Partnership (PLP).
 
The PLP has created a new model for local government legal services. This enables the legal team to improve services to their clients and in turn the Council to their communities. The PLP enables its members to share resources, information and training; allowing them to provide a more efficient service for their clients. www.publiclawpartnership.co.uk
 

Guidance notes are available in respect of :

THE LEGAL SERVICES SECTION CANNOT OFFER LEGAL SERVICES OR ADVICE DIRECT TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

You may wish to seek Legal Advice and Assistance from:

The Community Legal service which administer legal aid. Please use the link in the right hand column Community Legal service

The law society which govern and keep a national directory of solicitors in England and Wales. Please use the link in the right hand column The Law Society

A local advice agency such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.